2020 NFL Draft: Marlon Davidson joining the first-round ranks?

The 2020 NFL Draft isn’t overly deep on the defensive line, but there are some playmakers and Marlon Davidson might be a first-round contender.

The strength of the 2020 NFL Draft class is probably not on the defensive line, although this class certainly isn’t terrible at that overall position group.

The best player in the class overall is defensive end Chase Young, and Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown is close behind his teammate Jeffrey Okudah in contention as the top defensive player in the class.

Another Auburn defensive lineman is emerging as a possible first-round player on the defensive line as well. Marlon Davidson has now popped up in two prominent first-round mock drafts on NFL.com.

Both Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks had the versatile defensive lineman in the first-round of their mocks, perhaps not coincidentally both on the Tennessee Titans, who certainly value versatility in Mike Vrabel’s defense.

Davidson played plenty of EDGE at Auburn but is better suited, in my opinion, to play inside at the next level and utilize his quickness and strength there.

Certainly not in coverage.

Davidson doesn’t get as much fanfare as Derrick Brown, and perhaps rightly so. Brown is on another tier as far as his potential impact at the next level, but Davidson is no slouch and could really help an already-good defense like the Titans late in the first round.

He had 48 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks this past season at Auburn and was invited to the 2020 Senior Bowl, where he was excellent on the first day of practices before he had to sit out with an injury.

In speaking with the media at the 2020 Senior Bowl, Davidson said he models his game somewhat after New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan. That’s a pretty great player to look up to and model your game after.

Jordan is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the game today and has been a consistently dominant pass rusher since he came into the league in 2011.

If Davidson can convince teams that his game will translate even close to what Jordan’s has with the Saints, he’s going to be long gone by the time the Titans are on the clock in round one.